8:23 AM,
Jan. 29, 2013

Kaylee Feight talks about the impact of a minimum wage increase on her job at Quiznos in Helena, Mont., on Dec. 28.

Written by

Emma Beck
USA Today

Nearly half the states have increased their minimum wage this year or are considering plans to hike it as the economy transitions from recession to a stronger recovery.

Thirteen states have weighed wage increases since Jan. 1. Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Hawaii are among the most recent. Monday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, a Republican, rejected a bill that called for an immediate $1.25-per-hour hike, pushing the minimum wage to $8.50. He suggested instead a $1 increase phased in over three years.

In nine other states, automatic wage hikes took effect, adding 10 to 35 cents per ...